Chapter 17: The Truth Hurts

"Ratchet," Orion asked, hesitation clear in his voice before he asked a rather startling question that rattled both Ratchet and Knockout. "IS Megatron really my father?"

If he was drinking Energon, Ratchet may have choked on it a little before spitting it out from the shock of being asked such a thing. Knockout, meanwhile, just stood with his back turned, looking even whiter in the face than usual. As though he knew something, and was afraid to tell what it was. Fortunately, Ratchet was there to keep the attention centered away from him...for now. "Orion Eclipse, where on Earth and Cybertron did THIS come from? Why would you ask such a question?" Orion seemed a little ashamed he brought up the subject, but he was determined to learn the truth. "It's because of Starscream. He said something about how much of a resemblance there is between him, and me. It's been driving me crazy since then. And since you have a long history with Megatron than I did, I thought maybe you could confirm if it's true or not."

Ratchet 'harrumphed' a little as he turned back to his computer. "That's a ridiculous thing to consider. Cybertronians are either born from the Well of Allsparks that seek out HotSpots on our world filled with fresh primordial Cybermatter to shape their forms from, or they were crafted bodies by the Cybertronian facilities of old: a term we used to call being "Cold Forged"." He had a look of disgust as he said, "And this was an initiation that used power channeled from Primus himself to artificially birth sparks, and then place them into Cybertronian-made robot bodies to inhabit. A sort of factory form production of producing life on our planet in a time when it was feared that The Allspark was beginning to cease spark production, and Hotspots were becoming harder to find." His scowl then turned to a thoughtful expression. "Although, according to legend, there was a time when Vector Sigma was still known to all of Cybertron. It not only served as a giver of knowledge and wisdom to the Primes...but it was even believed that for those it considered worthy, it would grant a boon."

"A boon?" Orion asked with an inquisitive expression.

"Indeed." Ratchet said. "It always varied depending on the Cybertronians, but...there were, actually, instances where sparkmates would come before Vector Sigma, and plead that it gives them the ability to reproduce sparkling life...like humans." This surprised Orion and made Knockout gag a little at the thought as Ratchet continued. "When it fulfilled this wish, it required the CNA of both mates, then it would imbue its researcher's femme conjunx endura with a reformat that gave the requirements to physically house a protoform from their unified CNA, and from that bond, a fresh, young spark would grow along with its developing body. Once it was time for the infant to be born, its...deliverance would be done similarly to how it is done on earth. And when it was finished, the femme would return to her original state, and the sparkmates would have young of their own. A rare privilege bestowed upon by Primus." Ratchet said whimsically.

This got Orion curious. "You sound like you have experience with this sort of thing."

"Eh-uh!, W-well..." Ratchet stammered. "I may, or may not have seen, and helped sparkmates who have confirmed this past myth to be true. But that's...a story for another time." His scowl returned. "Besides, you have no reason to trust in the word of two notorious war criminals turned terrorists. For all we know, they were trying to get inside your head, and take advantage of your confusion. It's best not to dwell on these things, especially after the battle you and the others went through. You still need to rest yourself." He went back to his work, muttering, "Yes...rest." But Orion would not back down so simply.

"Ratchet...I need to know," said Orion, almost desperate.

The old medic sighed as he said, "Orion, I understand your feelings, but you can't let them cloud your thinking. Megatron was far from being able to fall in love with another Cybertronian, much less be worthy of receiving The Boon of Life from Vector Sigma. It simply isn't in his nature, and never could be."

"Then I'm afraid I have to correct you on that, Doc...and admit the truth to you, Orion." Knockout said with a heavy sigh, before saying what he knew he had to after listening to the other bots talk. Orion needed to know, indeed. And Knock Out gave him his answer.

"Megatron IS your father, Orion." Knock Out told Orion Eclipse.

Orion was shocked, to say the least, and seemed afraid at first. That is until Ratchet stubbornly gave his cemented thoughts on the matter. "That's preposterous. Even in his younger days, Megatron was an ambitious gladiator with visions of conquest, and domination!" Ratchet exclaimed. "There is no possible way that Megatron ever had a family of his own. I doubt that he ever had a conjunx-endura, let alone a sparkling - whether it be before, or during the War for Cybertron. Even if he did, I'm sure it would have been cataloged at some point in that time."

"That's what you think, Ratchet." Knockout said, with a hint of annoyance in his tone. "You're wrong because I was there when Megatron had a family. His Conjunx Endura was my mentor in the field of medical science, and she was the best there ever was." He said with pride. "She taught me everything I know, and her strong will, and refusal to fear Megatron was influential to my former leader." The red race car smiled. "He was far less violent and brutal than when he began his campaign for the original Dark Energon source of Cybertron. Granted, he was still ruthless, and gave no quarter to the enemy: but he was a "tough yet fair" kind of leader who treated all of us with dignity and respect. And if he ever went overboard, Firestar always kept him in check."

Hearing the name "Firestar" caused Orion to feel a flash of pain, as the image of a femme bot flashed through his mind: fast enough for him to see, but not long enough to fully memorize. Knockout noticed this as Orion raised his hand to his head while grunting in pain, and asked if he was alright. Concern was all too evident in his tone. Once the pain passed, Orion smiled and said, "My head hurt for a sec. It's nothing." It didn't seem the two medics were all that convinced, so Orion went back to the subject. "And are you sure we're talking about the same Megatron, here? This doesn't sound like anything I could imagine."

"Believe me, this is the same." Knockout said, getting back on topic. "Firestar lived up to her name as she had this...spark of fire that made the bravest, strongest, most determined warrior one could expect from a femme bot: but she also had kindness, sense of compassion, and empathy for others that made her unique among the Decepticons. Even though she tried convincing him otherwise long after they became sparkmates, she realized Megatron was dead set on his conquest of Cybertron and resided to stay by his side and keep him grounded so to speak." Knockout smiled again. "There came a time when the two of them wanted a child: a sparkling, to be more exact. From what she told me, she was mending his wounds one night when he noticed how sad she seemed. She explained her grievances, and let her emotions be shared with her lover." Knockout heavily sighed. "It is sad because I don't think anyone on Cybertron held more love for someone than Megatron and Firestar had for each other. So much so, he wanted nothing more than to make her happy. So he decided he would see her desire fulfilled - not just for her happiness, and possibly even his own, but now when he considered it, for the sake of the future of the Decepticons by giving them an heir who would one day surpass and succeed him. And hopefully, lead Cybertron into a new Golden Age that would finally bring our leader's desire for freedom and equality to fruition. And he knew exactly where to go to make this happen."

Ratchet's optics widened as he said in a hushed tone, "You don't mean-"

"Yep: they went to Vector Sigma, and Primus himself. Firestar told me that she and Megatron spoke to our creator when it asked what they wanted, and explained their pure intentions for their child. I guess the great Vector Sigma and Primus saw their intentions were true because their wish was granted. It went just like Ratchet explained, and after giving their CNA they ended up with some manner of reformat. I won't fill you in on the details, but let's just say that VS gave the two what they wanted." He then smirked. "But Ratchet was wrong about Vector Sigma just "magically" imbuing bots with the bio-meta-organs needed to bear a sparkling and it just appears inside. I might hate the idea of humans interfacing, but...let's just say it was quite exciting learning that our leaders both had been reformatted so that they could finish the reproduction process - on their own."

Orion gasped as he said with minor dread, "Y-you don't mean...Megatron and Firestar-?"

"As humans would put it: "Got Busy~"!" Knockout laughed at Orion's and Ratchet's shared shock. "Long story short, he made a pledge to ensure nothing would ever happen to Firestar or their youngling. He would protect them with his own life if need be. And after some months - since I don't know or care how long it takes for humans to give birth," He then glared when he noticed that Ratchet was about to say something, "and I don't need YOU to fill me in - she was ready to deliver. I, Shockwave, and even Breakdown were the doctors who helped her to deliver her sparkling, all while Megatron stayed by her side with Starscream and Soundwave to observe the event. I was careful not to laugh every time she crushed his hand in her grip when her contractions hit." He let the two bots take that in, and have a good chuckle before he continued. "Under hers, and Shockwave's guidance (surprisingly), she gave birth to a healthy, handsome mech who had the best qualities of his parents." Knockout seemed a bit nostalgic as he said, "That was the first, and probably last time any of us present had seen Megatron cry from sheer joy. That he had given life instead of snuffing it out was an all-new experience to him, and it hit him in the 'feels', as I believe they put it. When it came time for naming, do you know what they settled on?"

Orion shook his head, even though he was getting an idea, as Knockout answered, "Yours. 'Orion' was Megatron's way to remind himself of the brotherhood he once shared with Optimus Prime. And 'Eclipse' was to reference someone who had that name, which I was never told who exactly it was. With that, a royal family was born. And the two of you were the anchors in his life that kept him sane, and grounded to reality. Even as the war went on, he worked to be the best father he could be, and he fought harder and longer to end the war once, and for all. We all were inspired by his newfound tenacity and his desire for a better future, and it seemed we would reach that future very soon." Knockout said enthusiastically. But then suddenly, the mood shifted as a grim expression came over the racer. "But that all changed when he suffered two great losses."

Orion could feel a knot in his throat building up from the tense feeling he was having, but still asked, "What happened?"

Knockout sighed remorsefully as he said, "I wish I knew, Orion. All I know is she...she disappeared one day until Shockwave told Megatron that she had been kidnapped. Megatron assumed it was the Autobots, and went to confront them for abducting his sparkmate. But from what I heard, the Autobots didn't have her, and Megatron was left frustrated as he later assembled a search team to find her. The search took weeks, though I wasn't part of it, I read the reports, and..." his voice shook a bit as he said, "And I was there to watch as they brought Firestar's charred remains aboard the ship." Orion gasped in horror, as Knockout said, "I don't know what happened to her: but when I did an autopsy, I saw that she had been caught in some kind of explosion - died instantly. This coincided with an Autobot ambush near an Energon refinery that exploded during the fight. After the bots retreated, that's when they found her. And the Decepticons had lost its Mistress...while you and Megatron lost a mother and a wife. He mourned for her, along with you for a time until she was given a warrior's funeral. Now, she is part of the very stars that reside in the vastness of space, itself. One with the Allspark."

Ratchet had remained silent during this time, but Orion was engrossed in what he was hearing, and asked in a pleading tone, "What happened after that? Did you also know what happened to me, and how I ended up in that escape pod?"

"I wish I did, but again I was held up by my responsibilities in the lab." Knockout said respectively. "But I will say that Megatron had changed when Firestar died. Without her guiding light, his spark began to grow darker with anger and hate as he blamed the Autobots for her death. And he became rather overprotective with you. From what instances I saw, there was a bit of a strain in your relationship: but that didn't mean he stopped loving you, Orion. He only wanted to keep you safe and see to it that you were ready to truly join the war front. This was also around the time Megatron began using Dark Energon, and had managed to corrupt the Core of Cybertron thanks to Omega Supreme's...less than enthusiastic help." Seeing Ratchet's glare, Knockout cleared his throat and went on saying, "Soon after, Orion Pax, Megatron's former best friend who renamed himself Optimus Prime, and ultimately lead events to their course that liberated Iacon, saw him rescue his predecessor Zeta Prime, save Omega Supreme, and then free Primus himself from the Blood of Unicron's influence...and granting him the Matrix of Leadership so that Optimus Prime could lead the Autobots to victory. That's when the Exodus began, Trypticon the monster was slain before Megatron converted him into the Nemesis, and The Ark left Cybertron with Megatron and his forces in pursuit."

"Yes, yes, thank you for the recap." Ratchet said impatiently. "But I believe Orion still wishes to have his question answered, Knockout. Now, if you please?"

"Right, right, sorry about that." Knockout hastily said, before getting to the point. "Now, I have no complete knowledge of what happened. All I remember is hearing reports of Optimus Prime leading a small team to infiltrate Megatron's Capital Fortress in Kaon: Kolkular. Prime got trapped while rescuing one of their own, and he gave the order to use the remnants of Trypticon's space station-fortress form from his old body, and use his Ultra Laser to breach the fortress. While his troops were sent away, Optimus stayed behind to face Megatron alone. The two fought, and with the Matrix of Leadership, he overpowered Megatron, and banished an ancient, evil artifact that the con's leader was using to enslave, and resurrect fallen Autobots as, technically, the first Terrorcons. However, the force of the clashing, and exploding energies of Primus, and theoretically Unicron, shook the fortress with an immense power surge. Add to the damage that Trypticon station inflicted, and you get a mountain-sized skyscraper about to turn part of Kaon into a crater. From what I heard, despite their injuries, Optimus refused to let Megatron escape, and the latter refused to leave until Prime was scrap. You were given the order to get to the escape pods, and rendezvous with one of our orbital warships, even after you tried to help your father. He was adamant you get out before it was too late. But...something happened that destroyed the warship you, and the others were meeting with, and all of us thought you were killed in the explosion. After that, following Kolkular's destruction, Megatron became the fiend the Autobots know-er, knew. Megatron cut his spark off from any feelings, including love, as they were considered a weakness to him. Then the Siege of Iacon and assault on the Ark occurred, and the rest is history."

Orion felt...overwhelmed, to say the least. All this information was seemingly opening a new point of view on how he saw Megatron. Despite the things he heard and read about him, it made Orion feel some sympathy for the Decepticon leader-former. "Wow. That's just-...wow."

"I know, it's a lot to take in," Knockout admitted, "and I'd probably feel the same if I was in your armor."

However, this only brought up something that sparked a bit of anger in the young bot. "Why didn't you tell me? If you knew who I was, and who my parents were, why didn't you say anything before?" Oh, no, was the thought running through Knockouts mind. This was where things would get serious. "I'm sorry, Orion, but to tell you the truth, it's been so long that I almost forgot, what with everything that's happened since you disappeared. I wasn't sure at first, but somehow I knew when I saw you: and if I came clean about your parentage, then the Autobots would have gone ballistic and done worse than what they did when they first brought you here."

"Tch. Puh-lease! Do you think so little of us, Knockout?" Ratchet asked his working partner, who simply gave him a look involving a raised brow that said "really?" before asking, "Says the one who denounced Orion as a Decepticon, assumed he was holding a human hostage and was among those who regarded him, in the same way, I would have been regarded when the war was still on before I joined the winning team? Even as he begged, and pleaded you don't hurt his human friend who, I might add, busted your servos with a working wrench and stood in defense of our positively influential friend here while you continued demonizing him - even after your leader, Optimus Prime, told you he was the key to our salvation?"

Ratchet opened his mouth to retort but came up short because Knockout was right. And he grumbled about it because of how much it irked him. Yet still, it was his turn to share his thoughts on the matter. "Even if that's the case, then why were there no records of Firestar, or Orion in the Decepticon's database? We spent weeks, going on months to decrypt the access codes, and even then we found no record of them anywhere." He then glared at the red racer. "Mighty suspicious, if you ask me...and makes me wonder if this just some kind of demented joke you're trying to pull when the situation is highly inappropriate."

Now Knockout looked outraged. "Are you calling me a liar, 'doc'!?"

"Wouldn't be the first time." Ratchet said, before exclaiming, "And don't call me "doc", you hear me?!"

"Well, what else should I call you since you seem to think you know everything?" Knockout said with his arms crossed. "As for your accusation: the reason why there's no record of Orion or his mother is because Megatron wanted no reminders of the family he lost. Feelings like love, joy, happiness, and the satisfaction of having someone love you were considered a weakness he wanted to be purged. But we all knew he was just trying to bottle up his pain, and channel it into anger, and hatred while turning it on the Autobots. He was spiteful that way."

"Hmph. Even so, I'm sure even our records would have noted his existence at some point. If Optimus did indeed encounter Orion during the Dark Spark incident, he would have had it put down in the data logs, as is standard procedure."

"Maybe the big O felt guilty about what happened because he still cared about Megatron. And being the kind-hearted he was, he would keep the memory of his family private, and for Megatron alone to bear. Though he was quite the exceptional leader, Prime did seem to blame himself a lot, even when stuff happened that wasn't his fault."

"Of course it wasn't his fault." Ratchet raised his voice. "It was Megatron's selfish ego, ambition, and corrupted mindset that lead him down the path he chose, which eventually lead to The Great War. Thousands of sparks were extinguished by his hand, Iacon was lead to ruin by his ambition, and thousands more were subject to tortures the likes of which I can only imagine: whether it was by Megatron's ruthless tactics for interrogation in the Kaon Prisons, or Shockwaves experimentation, all Cybertronians not affiliated with him were made to suffer fates worse than death through unspeakable tortures for Decepticon amusement! Some of which I bet you took part in before the Exodus!"

"ALRIGHT, THAT'S GOING TOO FAR, AUTOBOT!" Knockout screamed as he drew out his buzzsaw.

"APPARENTLY NOT FAR ENOUGH, DECEPTICON!" Ratchet screamed in turn before drawing out his blades.

But just before a real fight could break out, two strong hands grabbed their arms, and pulled them away from each other with ease while yelling, "THAT'S ENOUGH!" Both were surprised to see that it was Orion who had done this - and that he had stopped them in their tracks so easily. This was enough to snap them out of their rage and sheath their weapons as they cooled down. Now that it was settled, Orion took a deep breath, and with a sympathetic look, he said to Knockout, "Look, I know there's still some bad blood between the Autobots, and even those who used to be Decepticons - but killing each other isn't the answer to anything. Not over something that happened in the past. We can't let it define it, because our past isn't today. That's my motto, and I hope you both can consider taking after it." He looked between them and was happy to see they were remorseful for letting their emotions get the better of them. But then Orion said, "Even so, in regards to Megatron being my father, I have to agree with Ratchet: there's only your word to go on and confirm the truth. And after learning everything he's done in the 4 million years he's instigated The Great War, even with everything you've told me, I can't believe that that monster is my father. He's ruined so many lives, and nearly killed both my birthplace, and the planet that is now my home, and always will be. Even if there was proof, how could I believe it without any doubt?"

A few moments passed as silence came between the young bot and the red medic. Knockout himself was trying to think of a way he could prove that what he said was true, but came up short. That is until he came upon a...scientific solution. "Because there IS a way to prove it. Come over to this slab, and I'll show you."

A few cycles later after drawing Orion's Energon into a syringe gun*

Knockout went over to where Cybertromian CNA samples both old and new were held. After extracting some Energon from Orion, he then pulled out a vial holding a preserved Energon sample belonging to the one they were looking for: Megatron. "A CNA test?" Ratchet questioned with skepticism. "You do realize that's going to be difficult since Megatron has had Dark Energon infused with his body since he arrived on Earth?"

"Not necessarily." Knockout said. "This sample is from before he left the Nemesis under Starscream's command. Probably like with Autobots, it was still a standard procedure to take Energon samples to make sure a patient's not at risk from anything life-threatening. And besides, he was only given an infusion of the dark stuff to resurrect himself on Cybertron thanks to Soundwave's ingenuity. He had to build a new body from scratch, with what was left of Megatron's core consciousness and spark salvaged and healed while completely free of the dark stuff. Soundwave just used it to bring him back, but some time afterward Megatron reformatted himself into his old jet mode from before the war so that he could go and look for more Dark Energon since we lost our reserves with the loss of Trypticon station: he was completely clean when he left, and before coming to earth. When he arrived, he underwent the standard Energon Test, which we kept in storage aboard the Nemesis, and I've kept in cold storage here in the lab - just in case I needed it for something."

"What kind of something?"

"Not important. Now, we just put these samples together," which he does in a scanning device after placing some of the Energon in separate test tubes. "then we scan them for the CNA," both have a green light zoom over them like a wave as the CNA within is scanned, and cataloged. "And with that taken care of, let's find out what the census is.", he said as the scan completed, and he inputted the command to perform a CNA match. The process took a few minutes as the computer analyzed the samples. There was a bit of tension in the air as the bots waited for the results to come in. Especially Orion, because he had no idea how this would affect him - now he wasn't sure he wanted to know anymore. But the decision was not his to make any more as the program finished the work, and the results kicked in. The Autobots, minus Knockout, couldn't believe what they were seeing.

[SCAN COMPLETE. CNA SAMPLES...IDENTICAL. 68% MATCH POSITIVE.]

And that was it, with no dispute. The samples had a match, with the numbers showing the father as the most prominent gene source. But either way, the truth was right there in front of them: Orion Eclipse was the biological son of Megatron. And the young bot couldn't handle the truth, like panic, and horror began to set in. "No." He shook his head. "No, it can't be! It's not true. That's impossible! I can't be Megatron's son! No..." he whimpered, covering his face. Knockout and Ratchet were about to try, and console him. "Listen, Orion...I-" But Orion's outburst cut off Knockout with immense force.

"NOOOOO!!! No!" he screamed in despair, before running out of the med bay without another word, leaving the ex-con to wonder one thing.

"What have I done?"

Bumblebee was doing nothing special at the moment. Just wandering around the corridors of Autobot base, minding his own business and taking in the calm, and the peace. Even with the threat of Doomsayer looming over their heads, he still had a tranquil mind. He knew worrying about things like this would only affect his thinking process, and make him unfit for combat. But he wouldn't let that happen. He was determined to do his part to end this conflict with The New Decepticons before it sparked a second Great War. Cybertron was not ready for such a calamity again - especially with what THIS war would bring forth.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted as he heard a sound that sounded like ... Crying?

He then realized he had passed by Orion's room without realizing it, and he thought nothing of it until he heard the sound. It was strange to him because the only time he ever heard the bot upset like this was when they first brought him in, and just after a terrible misunderstanding. This was different. Orion was weeping in his chambers, and Bee had no idea why. But because he already considered him a friend, he was determined to learn what was wrong. Gently walking over, he knocked on the door at least loud enough to be heard, asking, "Orion?" He heard a gasp, and then some shuffling inside before the weary voice of Orion spoke. "Y-yes? Who is it?"

"It's Bumblebee." He said, sounding concerned. "Is everything okay in there?"

"Uh, y-...y-yeah. Everything's okay." Orion said in a shaky voice. "Please, just- ... Just don't worry about me, okay?"

Bumblebee knew he wasn't being honest, but didn't want to force him into an uncomfortable position. So, he went about trying something else. "Can I come in, Orion?" This seemed to concern Orion as he asked why. "No real reason - I just want to talk for a while. I realized I haven't spent much time making you feel welcome more than I have already. Plus, I don't have anything else to do right now, so maybe you can help me pass the time?" Orion seemed to hesitate for a full minute as Bee waited for him to respond. At first, he feared he had overstepped his boundaries, and just pushed him further into seclusion.

His spark felt relief when he heard Orion say, "Come in.", and he did with a warm smile - but it didn't last when he saw his friend curled up in a sitting position on his bed. The new bot was distraught by something, and it seemed to have an abhorrent effect on him. Nevertheless, he moved on over to the berth and sat next to the crying bot. "So...any particular reason you're this upset, Orion?"

He received no reply, save for the continued cries that grew quieter as time went on. This only made him feel worse for the bot, and he risked overstepping himself by saying, "Orion, listen: as someone who spent millions of years only talking in bleep, I promise you that I've learned more than enough the art of keeping a confidence. If there's anything you want to get off your chest, I'm all audio receptors." Orion's crying stopped, but he was still held in his fetal position, and quiet. Understanding he wasn't going to get anywhere, he stood back up, and told Orion, "Well, if you do, just call me up, and I'll let you know where to find me." He then smiled. "Just remember that whatever the problem is, you won't get any bias out of me.

"Bee...this is gonna sound random, but I think it's the best way to describe my situation," Orion said, earning the scout's attention before he could leave. Instead, he sat back down, and listened as Orion asked him, "Have you ever heard of the Star Wars films on Earth, before? Given your stay on the planet, surely you must have." Bee gave it some thought and honestly said, "It's...been a while, but I think I have. It's the movie series about a Galactic Civil War against a Rebellion, and an Empire for the freedom of the galaxy, right?"

"Yep. I watched them in drive-in theaters, but out of sight in the brush." Orion said. "Every time I heard on the radio there was going be a Star Wars movie marathon, I would waste no time going down there to see it. It's honestly the closest I've ever been to exposure to space, and a conflict that's similar to yours when your war was still raging." He said, with a bright tone suggesting he was getting happy. "They're honestly my favourite movie franchises for so many reasons: teaching you how to overcome your dark side, never letting fear, and anger win against you and turn you into something you're not, that destiny is what YOU make of it," he then smiled, "and that even in the darkest times, there's always hope. Star Wars was an inspiration to me, and it always excited me to watch them." He then seemed to grow disappointed as he said, "Though the sequels to the original trilogy could have been a lot better, is all I'll say."

That caught Bee's attention. "Wait: a SEQUEL trilogy? To the original movie trilogy? Raph only showed me the Original Trilogy, but I do remember liking it. It's been a while, sure, but still-"

"Don't get excited, and let's just leave it at "could've been a lot better"." Orion chuckled. "Trust me, you aren't missing much." Then his attitude turned rather ... Bleak as he spoke. "But that brings me to the point I was getting to you know "The Empire Strikes Back", right?" Bee's eyes widened in surprise a little as he answered, "Sure. It's bleak as scrap, but pretty good storytelling. Why is that movie so important to this discussion?"

Orion sighed. "You remember Luke's duel with Vader, and how it ended?" Though it was a rather touchy subject for Bee, due to it reminding him of the day he lost his voice box, Bee kept that to himself as he said, "Uh, y-yeah: Vader wins the fight by cutting off his hand, then tries to turn Luke to the Dark Side after revealing the biggest bombshell in history."

Orion nodded in agreement, and said, "That he was Luke's father all along. Something that left our hero pretty shaken up after the revelation. But after he overcame those feelings, and confirmed the truth with his Jedi masters, he resolved to save his father from the Emperor." He smiled just a little. "And he did." But that smile went away, as he decided to get to the point. "Bee, there's a- ... A reason I brought up this nerd stuff. And it's because of why I was the way you found me just now: it has to do with Megatron, and what I learned about him from Ratchet and Knockout." Bee's Energon levels suddenly felt chilled, and he was afraid. "Megatron? Orion, I don't understand. What could involve Megatron to a degree that it would get you this upset?" A few moments of silence passed, with Orion too afraid to speak. He knew of Bumblebee's history with Megatron, and how badly it always ended. There was an underlying fear that despite Bee's promise, he'd hate him for what he was about to learn. But Orion knew he couldn't keep quiet about it as he heavily sighed. And the truth came forth.

"He's my father."

To say that Bumblebee was not shocked would be untrue - just as it would be an understatement. His eyes dilated into pinpricks, and his mouth was wider than an exhaust port as he slowly rose from his seat, and said in a whispered tone, "Your father." Orion nodded, and said, "Before you ask, the docs ran a CNA scan on me when I asked for it, and found matching traces of his Energon in my body. Like traits a human carries from their parents, it's the same with me." He dryly chuckled. "Yes: Orion Eclipse, the nicest bot and biggest pacifist in the galaxy is the son of the most crazed, violent, ruthless, heartless, and barbaric tyrant to ever live. How's that for irony, huh?"

Bumblebee could hear the distress in his voice and knew this was bothering him. And despite the shock of the revelation, Bee didn't harbor anything against Orion. He was more curious about how Orion could be his son. So, he took his seat back, and asked, "Can you tell me how else you found out? I didn't even think Cybertronians could reproduce as humans do." And tell him, Orion did. Every last detail shared to him by Knockout was relaid to his friend. Bee's intrigue and surprise grew by the minute. By the end, he had felt more amazed than anything else. "And that's it. After the CNA test, I kinda...freaked, and ran out. I've been here ever since until you came to me, and got me to talk about it." He then smiled. "And honestly, Bee? I'm grateful you came to talk to me about this. I feel a little bit better than I did when I first learned the truth. Now I'm just coming to grips with the biggest shocker of my life."

"Orion?" Bee said with a guilty tone in his voice. "There's...something you should know before anything else."

"What's that?" Orion asked, earning a sigh from Bumblebee before he revealed the truth.

"I killed Megatron." Now it was Orion's turn to be surprised. With his surprised expression, Bee took it as a sign to elaborate. "I won't go over the whole details, as it would take 3 whole seasons to explain in a tv show format. I'll just say Megatron had built a weapon that would have wiped out all life on Planet Earth, but thanks to Ratchet, we boarded his ship and confronted the last of his forces. While we all fought, Smokescreen remembered the Decepticons had taken the Star Saber - a weapon of the primes - after they blew up our very first base, and went to bring it to Optimus. In the end, I got a hold of it, and made a desperate leap of fate to get it to him." He then felt phantom pain in his chest as he remembered the searing burns from Megatron's fusion cannon hitting. "But Megatron shot me with his fusion cannon midway, and I ended up falling into a vat of cyber-matter, which is the substance that makes up our biology."

Orion hummed with interest, as he did not know of this. Bee continued, "Well, what no one anticipated was the cyber matter saving my life, healing me," he then rubbed his neck, "and even gave me back my voice. Then, while he was distracted, I rammed the Star Saber into his chest. The Dark Energon shattering on the impact inside his chest. Because of that, it finally burned out: and since the shard was all that was keeping him alive, Megatron was finally dead. We all watched him slide off the blade, and plummet down to Earth as the rest of the cons who weren't captured fled. On that day, we won the War." He then chuckled a little before saying, "That's the real irony: the leader of the Decepticons was done in by the same scout he had tormented for stellar cycles."

"Wow, that's...that's heavy," Orion said in amazement, and shock.

"Well, if you read the reports, then you know he didn't stay dead for long: Unicron saw to that when he made him his personal Spark Tank," Bee said. "If it weren't for that reliquary of the Allspark, we might never have beaten Unicron, and Cybertron would have fallen again."

"I see what you mean. What about Megatron?"

"Whatever happened between him, and Unicron, it seemed to change him. Despite Starscream's attempts to get Megatron back into the Decepticon spirit, he refused." Orion seemed confused. "He said that he lost his taste for inflicting oppression now that he knew the true meaning of it. He then disbanded the Decepticons, and we never saw him again after that. Optimus sacrificed himself after that, and eventually, it led us to where we are now. Maybe it was a little anticlimactic, but I say a victory is a victory. And we didn't need to waste any more precious Energon to do it."

"And Megatron's been missing all this time?" Orion asked, earning a nod from Bee. His expression then darkened a little as he said, "Then hopefully, he's rusting in a pit somewhere, dead and gone."

"Orion!" Bee exclaimed. "How can you say something like that?"

"Why shouldn't I? After everything he's done, Megatron deserves far worse than what he got. You were right to kill him when you did, Bumblebee. If you didn't, then my home would be gone, and his evil would only have enhanced." This made Bee feel a little uncomfortable. "Maybe...but do you think you should talk like that? Especially about your fath-"

"Don't," Orion said firmly. "He may have given me life, but he is not my father. And I don't care about what he did after Unicron possessed him, because his sins outweigh a single act of impulse. Maybe the experience did change him, but unless he owns up to the things he's done, then nothing's changed." He looked at Bee, and said, "To put it in a better way: he's no Darth Vader. No one manipulated him into taking his route of evil or coerced him into becoming a murderer. He made all those choices himself with no one forcing him. Maybe there is good in him somewhere, but until he proves it, I'm going to remain skeptical."

Bumblebee sighed. "If that's how you feel, Orion, then I won't argue. It's your choice how you feel about Megatron, and what you do." He then got up off his seat and kneeled in front of Orion, who was sitting normally since he began talking. "But don't let anger, or hatred for the things he did cloud your mind, or influence you. Vengeance blackens the soul of humans, and bots alike. Like Arcee with Airachnid: Arcee walked the edge of that abyss every day since Airachnid appeared that... I was afraid she would fall in. But she proved that two-wheelers are made of sterner stuff, and I thank Primus for that. But Megatron and many of the Con's fell into that pit a long time ago. And no one safe for themselves can pull them out. Since we are referencing the Star Wars series, let me remind you of another important lesson: Beware anger, fear, and aggression uncontrolled - they lead to the Darkside. Once you start down the dark path, then it will forever dominate your destiny, and consume you as it did Megatron. Please, I'd like you to remember that if you don't want to be like Megatron, Orion Eclipse. You're too good to let that happen...and I'd hate to lose my friend because of it."

Orion was shocked that Bee considered him a friend. In truth, he felt the same about Bee, even more so now than before because he was kind enough to listen, and not judge him for his revealed heritage. He just listened and offered his council, which was very good in the young bot's eyes. With that, Bumblebee got up and made his way to the door. But Orion had one more thing to say. "Bee?" The former scout turned to hear what Orion had to say, and he was pleasantly happy to see him smiling again. "Thank you for listening: You're my friend, too, and I'll never let that change. Just promise you'll keep this between us, okay? I'll tell the others when I'm ready...just not now, you know?"

Taking a moment to consider, Bee smiled back and said, "Sure thing. That's kind of what I'm good at. Just take it easy, Orion." He then left Orion's quarters, with the bot in question now feeling better. But now he was also feeling so very tired. He had no idea how exhausting that would make him feel and decided he would benefit from power down. He was confident that now that his big revelation was shared with someone he trusted, he would sleep well.

Little did he know of the nightmares that awaited him. He wakes up in what looks like a darker version of Kaon before he looks around as he wonders where he could be.

"Hello? Is anyone here? Where am I? What is this place?" Orion asked no one while he began to feel a tinge of fear growing in his spark.

He suddenly heard a deep, male, elderly voice that startled him from behind.

"So it's true. You really are my son." A deep male voice said.

Orion Eclipse turns around and he is shocked to see none other than Megatron who still looked the same as he once was when Unicron possessed his body and modified it to make it look similar to him. However, Megatron's optics were red instead of purple so that must mean that Unicron isn't controlling his mind.

"Megatron! B-But...You left Cybertron and no one ever saw you again. You were gone!" Orion said.

"Gone but never forgotten," Megatron replied. "After all these stellar-cycles, I finally found you. It's so good to see you again, my sparkling." He said to Orion.

"But you can't be my father. I am nothing like you! You...you tried to conquer the galaxy and you ruined the lives of so many people! You're evil!"

"I was evil. But I've seen the error of my ways and have abandoned the Decepticons to allow the Autobots to end the great war and to finally make things right again." Megatron said.

"So, you're...you're reformed?" Orion asked.

"Yes, and now that you know the truth; Now that we are together again," Megatron stretched out his hand and offered his son to take it, "Join me."

"Huh?"

"Come with me, Orion. You were born to be my successor. Your destiny is to become a better mech than I was. Join me, and together we can rule the universe as father and son." Megatron proposed.

"Rule the universe? At what cause? Why should I even trust you?" Orion Eclipse asked before he became upset, "If I didn't know better, you met my mother before you seduced her, then you FORCED her to marry you, then you slept with her and impregnated her until she gave birth to me and that you literally produced me so that I could be your heir to the Decepticon empire!" he yelled.

"Please, do not be afraid, my son. You have no reason to hate me, Orion Eclipse." Megatron said.

"Oh, I have plenty of reasons!" Orion Eclipse said before he started to rant at his father, "You started the Great War, you have destroyed countless innocent lives, enslaved people, poisoned Cybertron to its core with Dark Energon, then you threatened to turn Earth—my home into a dystopian planet for you to rule. On top of that, all of the animals and humans that you hated so much could've been doomed to extinction! I actually made friends with a young human male who not only understood me and what it's like to be friendless, but he actually stood up for me! And that human was Anthony Carter. If it weren't for those robot fools who attacked me in that cave with him, then I could've..."

"Orion! Look at me; I understand that what I did was purely evil, but I'm not like that anymore! You and I are what's left of our family now and we both know that." Megatron remarked.

"No, you're wrong. The Autobots are my family now," Orion rebuked Megatron, "You don't get to decide my fate or my choosing! Because I am who I choose to be and I don't want to be anything like you! I wish you weren't my father."

That last sentence was enough to make Megatron snap in rage at his son.

"HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO ME!!! After all these stellar-cycles, after all these years that I've suffered without you, this is how you squander our reunion!?! Is THIS the thanks I get for all I have done for you and our family?!" Megatron roared in anger.

Orion Eclipse stepped backwards as he felt that tinge of fear again and Megatron walked towards him before Orion fell onto his rear and he crawled backwards before trembling in fear of his father.

"No, please! Dad...I'm sorry!" Orion closed his eyes and turned his head, waiting for Megatron to punish him as the old mech himself made a threatening pose like he was going to strike at him.

But Megatron chose not to harm his own son. Instead, he gave him a helping hand and he offered to pull him up so that he could embrace his son after being separated for so long.

"Take my hand." Megatron told Orion.

Orion Eclipse looked at Megatron's hand and he slowly took it before his father gently pulled him up and he somberly looked at his son.

"Father?"

"Forgive me for being so harsh. It must've been hard for you...being lost and alone for so many years without a family." Megatron said.

Orion sniffed as he began to cry, "But I don't understand. I thought you were going to..." Megatron interrupted his son.

"Do not cry, my son. Come closer, I want to tell you a secret."

"What is it?" Orion asked as his tears threatened to spill.

"I need...Energon!" Megatron hissed in a demonic voice as his optics turned purple before he became a Terrorcon, much to Orion's shock and horror.

Orion Eclipse tried to avoid his father, but his grip was too strong before the young bot struggled to break free as Megatron pulled him closer to feed on his Energon with that thing coming out of his distorted mouth.

"AAAH!! Dad, no! Please! Don't! No, no! NOO!!!" Orion screamed before everything faded to black as Megatron consumed him.

Orion Eclipse woke up from his nightmare as he screamed in fright before he panted a few times and calmed himself down. Smokescreen rushes to check on Orion as he enters his room.

"Orion, what's wrong?" the Autobot asked.

Orion looked at Smokescreen with that frightened look on his face before he told him, "Nothing. It was just a nightmare." He said.

"Well, Thank Primus you're okay. You had us worried for a moment." Smokescreen said in relief. "What was it about?" He asked.

"It was about Megatron." Orion Eclipse said.

"Megatron?" Smokescreen asked.

"My father." Orion added.

"Your father? Did Megatron kill him in your dream?" Smokescreen asked.

"No, you don't understand. Megatron...is my father." Orion Eclipse told the Autobot.

Smokescreen's optics widened with shock. "What!?!" He said. "Your dad is Megatron?!!?"

Orion Eclipse took a deep sighed before he answered, "Yes...It's true. Though it was hard for me to accept the truth of my parentage at first...I am the son of that monster who nearly destroyed Cybertron."

Smokescreen was now in disbelief of what he heard Orion Eclipse say to him. "But it can't be. I mean, compared to Megatron and everything he's done in the past...You're not like him at all."

Orion Eclipse looked sternly at Smokescreen. "Look at me; Can you not see that I bear any resemblance to him?" The young bot looked unhappy. Smokescreen didn't want to make his new friend even more upset as he carefully replied, "Well, to be fair, you did looked rather familiar when we first met." He said.

Orion Eclipse invited the Autobot to sit with him before he started to explain how he learned the truth as he said to his friend, "Smokescreen, when we were saving those people at the Energon Mines from Doomsayer and his New Decepticons, Starscream told me that I'm Megatron's son who was long since presumed dead due to an explosion during a Decepticon evacuation and an Autobot attack at Kolkular that actually made me suffered from amnesia, yet I haven't forgotten my full name."

To say that Smokescreen wasn't surprised and confused all at the same time would be an understatement. Orion Eclipse continued as he told his friend how he responded to Starscream, "I didn't believe him at first, but then when I wanted to know for certain, I asked Ratchet if I really am related to the former leader of the Decepticons, and of course he did not believe that Starscream's conspiracy was true either..." he paused for a bit.

Orion Eclipse felt that terrible knot in his throat again as he proceeded, "That is until Knock Out confirmed that I really am the long-lost son of Megatron before we performed a CNA test with a sample of my Energon and an old sample of my supposed father. He told me and Ratchet the whole story about how Megatron and my mother, Firestar, went over to Vector Sigma and Primus himself before they requested that they'd be blessed with a child. An heir to the Decepticon throne if you will...that would one day surpass Megatron should the day ever come if his spark was extinguished and bring peace and equality onto Cybertron when the Great War is won by the Decepticon Empire."

Smokescreen was confused, "Wow...that's just rough. So wait. You mean to tell me that you're Megatron's long-lost son and that you're a...a Decepticon prince?" He asked.

"Well, maybe. I don't recall Megatron being called a King or an Emperor since he is...was referred to by many as an evil and ambitious Decepticon Warlord, Tyrant, Conqueror, and Unicron's Herald and Slave." Orion Eclipse replied.

"Well, the Decepticons called Megatron their Lord and Master. Now he's Unicron's Ex-Herald and Ex-Slave since Megatron once helped our late leader, Optimus Prime, defeat Unicron to save Earth which you've apparently considered the Earth to be your home since you've been living there for Primus knows how long before you even met us." Smokescreen told the young mech. "Plus the fact that Optimus freed Megatron by removing Unicron and his Anti-Spark from his body when he possessed him after bringing him back from the dead." Smokescreen then remembered Orion mentioning the name 'Firestar' as he asked him, "Wait, you said your mother was Firestar?"

Orion Eclipse nodded as he answered, "Well, yeah. Do you know her?"

Smokescreen replied, "Know her? Well, I'm not sure if I did, but I was still a young sparkling when I heard stories or even rumors about her. The Autobots said that Firestar was this beautiful femme bot that was in a romantic relationship with Inferno (an Autobot who was basically a fire engine) before she disappeared from Iacon for she had been kidnapped by the Decepticons when the Great War began. Inferno said that it was Megatron who had taken his lover before he killed her to make him suffer for unknown reasons other than being an Autobot."

Orion Eclipse nodded in disagreement, "No, that is not true...Is it?! I mean, Knock Out just told me that Firestar—my mother, was Megatron's loving wife who taught KO how to be a medical officer for the Decepticons." He said.

"Are you sure about that?" said Smokescreen, "Because I don't actually think that Megatron ever had a girlfriend before and I'm unsure if it was before or during the Great War. Plus, as much as I respect Knock Out along with our fellow Autobots since after he joined us and betrayed Starscream, I sometimes doubt if he's telling the truth or that he's making things up."

Orion Eclipse was now being serious as he spoke to the blue, yellow, and white Autobot, "Believe me! I've been told by Knock Out that my mother, Firestar was the femme bot who mentored him into becoming a Decepticon medic long before he joined the winning team...and the reason why there were no records or any information or biography of me or my mom was that my "dad" apparently wanted no reminders of the family he had lost during the war."

Orion Eclipse couldn't help but cringe at the thought of Megatron destroying memory files of his lost family before he told Smokescreen even further, "Knock Out explained to me, as well as Ratchet, that Firestar had disappeared before she'd been killed and that Megatron had to raise me as a single father after we had lost my mother. My father's spark became dark because my mother wasn't there to help him to be a fair and kind ruler with her love and support."

Smokescreen was speechless now, "Wow! Orion, I...I'm sorry. Now I can't believe that the firefighting Autobot, Inferno would actually lie about Megatron kidnapping Firestar and then killing her without being honest about her disappearance. I can only assume only he started that rumor all because Firestar might've actually betrayed him and she left Iacon to be with the Dark Lord himself." He said me it made Orion Eclipse feel irritated and confused by what he was saying.

Orion raised a brow. "Why do you keep saying that my mom was in love with an Autobot named, Inferno? From what Knock Out told me, my mother, Firestar was the Decepticon's late Mistress. By the way, who is this Inferno?" he asked.

"Inferno is...was a firefighting Autobot who could transform into a fire engine and who was in love with Firestar. I remembered him being upset about your parents, but I was still a child at that time and I didn't know what was going on back then." Smokescreen said before he explained what happened to Inferno, "And from what I heard, Inferno died trying to save Firestar when Megatron ordered his Decepticons to have him be tortured and killed by Airachnid and the Insecticons because he went to Kaon without backup and without our permission after he apparently began that rumor about Firestar being kidnapped and stuff. Megatron had to punish him for trespassing. Plus, Inferno could've been alive and with us today if he wasn't so desperate to get your mother back from Megatron because that was the cause of his death. Now I'm not quite sure if the Firestar we're talking about was either a nurse at Kaon who fell in love with Megatron and gave you life with him...or that she was a femme Autobot who was in a close relationship with one of our fallen warriors."

Orion Eclipse made a sad look as he said, "I wish I was born in a different family. I actually rather hoped or even wished that...that Optimus Prime was my real father instead and not...Megatron."

Smokescreen looked to Orion Eclipse and he said, "Why would you renounce your own biological father, Orion? We all know that Megatron was an evil warlord who destroyed so many lives in the past, but from what I've heard, Optimus Prime saw his former friend and arch-enemy leave Cybertron and Megatron had seen the error of his ways and he went into self-exile. We still don't know where he is or where to find him at least, but doesn't it concern you that Doomsayer might be hunting him down, that Starscream would wanna kill him for revenge, and that if something were to happen to Megatron then he might not live long enough to be reunited with his own son?"

"Do you think that he'll ever come back to Cybertron? Do you think...that he's truly reformed?...and that he'd be willing to turn himself in or even face the consequences of his actions, like for all the war crimes he's committed in the past? Because now, all this talk about Megatron being my father is overwhelming me." Orion Eclipse said. "I do know the fact that things change over time and they do sometimes since the Great War between Autobots and Decepticons has ended five years ago. Until that fiend, Doomsayer showed up and now everyone's expecting me to be their savior because Optimus said so." Orion Eclipse told Smokescreen as he was beginning to feel unpleasant with a hint of doubt.

"Orion? This is gonna sound a little random, but...there was a time before the end of the war...when I wanted to know who my parents were and what became of them." Smokescreen said to the new Autobot recruit. "Before I changed my paint job, my color scheme was white, red, and blue, and...there was a time when I befriended Megatron to find out about his secrets when I turned myself into the Decepticons and became one of them."

Orion Eclipse was surprised by what Smokescreen told him and he was intrigued to listen to his story. "You joined Megatron and his Decepticons back when you were the new member of Team Prime before the end of the war?" he asked. Smokescreen nodded. "Yes. It was my dumbest attempt and idea to reform our enemy and end the war peacefully. Megatron told me that he was the one who brought me into the nursery the day I was born when my mom died of childbirth. He wanted me to become his successor, to inherit the Decepticon throne, and Megatron told me that I was like a son to him. I've only been a Decepticon for weeks since I got to know Megatron better while hacking some private information on the Nemesis which is a Decepticon warship. I wasn't permitted to leave the ship because Megatron didn't want me to leave him. I learned that he had a wife and a child before they died, but I never learned their names...until now, now that I know more about you and what became of Firestar." Smokescreen cleared his throat and continued, "When Megatron found out that I was snooping around in his sparkmate's tomb when we were on Cybertron at Kaon near the ruins of Kokular, he was furious with me and he made me swear to never tell anyone about the family he had lost. I was afraid that he was going to kill me, but he didn't because I reminded him of his own son." he said.

"So, when did you betray Megatron and become an Autobot again?" Orion Eclipse asked. "I denounced the Decepticons when Megatron took me over to a place where he wanted me to prove my loyalty to him by putting some Dark Energon into my spark chamber for he wanted me to ensure that I would come back from the dead if anything were to happen to me. Yet I refused to obey Megatron whom I once considered a father figure until I learned about his true intentions to conquer Earth and Cybertron and take over the universe with me by his side. When I eventually betrayed him and his Decepticons, Optimus was able to rescue me and bring me back to base where I got my Autobot insignia back before I told Team Prime about what happened and I gave the information that I stole from the Decepticons to them. Since then, Megatron had once again lost his chance at having an heir to his empire and the rest is history." Smokescreen told the young bot.

"Did you find out about your parents?" Orion Eclipse asked. "Yes. I learned that my father's name was Bladerunner and my mother's name was Frostline. My father abandoned my mom while she was still carrying me because he didn't want to become a parent and from what Megatron had told me, my father believed that my mom cheated on him and that my real father was someone else. But I honestly doubt that Megatron might've been my biological father. Ratchet did a CNA test and it is confirmed that Megatron isn't my father." Smokescreen explained. "Well, Ratchet and Knock Out did a CNA test to find out if what Starscream said to me at the Energon Mines was true and when the results showed that Megatron is my father and I'm his biological son, I kind of freaked out before I ran back to my room where I was sobbing until Bee came to comfort me. I still can't believe that that monster is the one who gave me life. But I doubt that Megatron is my father despite the fact that he and my mother had sex!" Orion Eclipse exclaimed. Smokescreen could tell that his friend was overwhelmed with emotion and that he needed to lay down and chill.

"I think you should go back to recharge, now." Smokescreen suggested. "Tomorrow, we're going to meet up with our leader, Ultra Magnus, and see what we can do to stop Doomsayer and his New 'Cons from starting a new Great War." the Autobot told Orion Eclipse.

Orion nodded in agreement before he went back to recharge while Smokescreen got out of his room. The next day, the Autobots gathered around in a meeting with their leader, Ultra Magnus, informing them that Ratchet had found out the location of the New Decepticons and their leader. Turns out Doomsayer and his minions are in their warship which is a lot bigger than the Nemesis and way more powerful too. The New Decepticons call their warship, The Devastator which Doomsayer named after the Constructicon combiner, Devastator. Orion Eclipse got up from his berth and went into the main room to join with Ironhide, Chromia, Storm Bringer, Wheeljack, Bulkhead, Arcee, Knock Out, Hot Rod, Smokescreen, Bumblebee, Prowl, Drift, Jetfire, and the rest of the Autobots. Finally, after many weeks of searching, they have finally found out where they could find Doomsayer and his New Decepticon militia.